SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has called for a concerted effort to tackle issues concerning the North East to put the region on the pedestal of growth and development.
“Though we come from diverse backgrounds when it comes to issues concerning our region we must all take a unified approach,” Sangma told a gathering at the inaugural session of the two-day Youth Leaders Connect conclave here.
Sangma, while crediting innovative entrepreneurs with driving economic growth of the region, said the state government has initiated ‘Entrepreneurship of the Month’ programme to handhold youths.
Under the programme that is likely to start next month, the government will help young entrepreneurs for a month, recognise the work and market it through social media or any other platform.
“We will help them to reach the next level,” the chief minister said while adding that the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship “will also handhold individuals”.
The government will also encourage its departments as well as private entities in the state to buy locally made products.
Besides, the government will also link it to the three incubation centres, which will come up in the state.
Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi stressed the need to connect, share and emulate the best ideas to fuel innovation and creativity among the youth. “We cannot be complacent, we need to be productive and each and every one of us has a responsibility towards our community and our people. People’s perception of our region should be in sync with contemporary North East which young, enterprising and innovative,” he added.
The chief minister also informed that the government has more or less decided to host a food processing conference here in Shillong in a few months from now which will be attended by all northeastern states and other ASEAN countries.
Chittagong port a boon
Sangma hailed the decision to open the Chittagong port in Bangladesh to facilitate trade with the North East. Sangma said the decision will boost trade in the region and Meghalaya in particular, which shares a very long international border with Bangladesh.
“This is a big step towards ensuring that we in the North East have port connectivity and accessibility. It will reduce transportation cost for goods and allow exposure for the northeastern states to the international markets,” Sangma said.
The Bangladesh government had earlier this month approved a draft agreement to allow northeastern states to use Chittagong sea port and Mongla river ports, primarily aimed at restoring pre-partition logistics for the entire northeast region.
Sangma said increase of trade between India, Bangladesh and Myanmar is crucial for the economic development of Meghalaya. The state shares a 443-km long International border with Bangladesh and recently the Meghalaya government has said it will write to the Centre to facilitate setting up of more import/export points along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
(With inputs from PTI)
